According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, "An individual is considered to have a 'disability' if s/he has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment."
Some examples include:
Back/Spinal injuries
Psychiatric illnesses (PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, Major Depression, etc)
Neurological impairments (Parkinson's Disease, Seizure Disorder,etc)
Vision disorders
Hearing disorders
Substance abuse
Marcia,
I haven't had a student yet with ABI. Thanks for sharing.
Renee Shaffer
Important areas of the ADA and its amendments are that people with a physical or mental impairment that “substantially limits†one or more “major life activities†can be recognized as possibly having special educational needs. As a college instructor, I have had a few students who “self-reported†to me that they had an impactful disability. It is, of course, necessary to ask students to directly contact the campus ADA director and work with him or her. At the colleges where I have taught, I will receive email notification of students who have been designated as qualifying as an ADA student.
What has happened to date is that students will ask an instructor for assistance in areas where they feel it is needed. An instructor can also pose ideas for possible assistance to ADA students.
Within the last year, I had an ADA student in a class who told me he had ABI, which I had not run into until that point. Acquired Brain Injury is a designation where someone develops a brain injury after birth. This particular student said that his parents had not known he had seizures as a young child, and he fell a number of times and sustained head and brain injuries connected with falling on his head a number of times. He had actually done a good deal of advocacy for people with ABI, including working to pass legislation in the area where he lived.
One thing I have also noticed that is mentioned in this module is that no changes in curriculum for a particular degree program are allowed. Students who quality as ADA students need to take the same classes as everyone else in a particular degree program needs to take. I would say it may take particular strength and courage for ADA students to work toward degree achievement despite disabilities. Everyone is to be allowed equal access to education despite disabilities.
Some examples of a disability include, blindness, learning disability, ADD, visual impairment, dyslexia and Parkinson's Disease.
These condition should not impede on a student's progress; having the laws in place are there to insure that the student's rights are not violated based on their disability.
Some examples of disabilities that are covered under the ADA include the following:
1. Visually impaired
2. Hearing impaired
3. MS
4. Cerebral palsy
5. PTSD
6. Muscular Dystrophy
7. Attention Deficit Disorder
8. Dyslexia
9. Speech impairment
10. Asthma
11. Diabetes
12. Depression
13. Autism
14. Bipolar Disorder
15. Epilepsy
16. Paralysis
Physical or mental impairment
There are several types of disabilities covered under ADA. A physical disability could be someone who has a disabling condition such as connective tissue disorders, cardiovascular or birth defects. The act also covers those with cognitive learning disabilities. Examples of those disabilities are Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Hyperactivity Disorder (HD), and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). There are also those who have mental disabilities such as depression, bipolar, schizophrenia.
Just about anything that limits an individual's ability or their capability is covered by ADA. Even temporary conditions like pregnancy are covered. It is very difficult to find anything that could not be considered a disability when presented by a smart lawyer.
Issues with eye sight, hearing, dexterity, concentrating, even allergies. As defined its anything that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
In order to have a disability under the ADA , one must have a physical or mental impairment. Not everything that restricts a person's activities qualifies as an impairment. However, under the ADA, the definition of disability now must be construed in favor of broad coverage to the maximum extent permitted.
A physical impairment is any medical disorder, condition, disfigurement or loss affecting one of the body systems. A mental impairment is any mental or psychological disorder, such as intellectual disability (formerly termed mental retardation), organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities.
It is not possible to include a list of all the specific conditions that would constitute physical or mental impairments, but some examples may be useful.
Examples of conditions that are impairments: cerebral palsy; migraines; AIDS, and its symptoms; asthma; blindness or other visual impairments; depression; or complications from pregnancy, just to list a few.
Alireza,
Disabilities are diagnosed by MDs and the like and I would say that it is hard for those without disabilities to understand how they may impact a student. The legal ramifications make all of the disabilities relevant in all higher education courses.
Renee Shaffer
I understand ADA defines disability as
"any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: neurological, musculoskeletal, special sense organs, respiratory (including speech organs), cardiovascular, reproductive, digestive, genitourinary, hemic and lymphatic, skin, and endocrine."
Since I have previously taught at a high school, I can see how each of the above-mentioned can impair a student's life or get in the way of his/her education.
What I have often wondered is if all of the mentioned conditions are relevant when it comes to an online course.
To give a simple example, one may argue that a certain case of cosmetic disfigurement, while it can have psychological impact on an individual who attends school, may be irrelevant when it comes to an online class! It sure might indirectly affect prompt response by students, but if assignments have a full week designated for their completion, it is hard to imagine how some of the mentioned disabilities might have resulted in delayed submissions of assignments.
Generally speaking, shouldn't disabilities be treated on a case by case basis?
Mara,
Yes, though students with diabetes (it is a growing population) can really have lapses due to low blood sugar levels. Hidden disabilities can really surprise you.
Renee Shaffer
As was covered in the first unit, individuals with disabilities may have physical disabilities or visual impairment that they are either born with or acquire, cognitive disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, or "hidden" disabilities. I've had some experience with most of these.
It seems to me, in a way, that online learning might even be a preferable way of learning for those with physical or visual disabilities, since one doesn't physically have to travel to a location. However, I have had a student with a physical impairment who found it difficult to sit for long periods of time in front of a computer. It's also possible to address visual difficulties to some extent by using technology. As someone with cataracts, I find the ability to increase the typeface on my computer or to zoom in very helpful in reading.
I've also had students wit cognitive disabilities, such as ADD. These students, per University policy, receive a longer period of time to complete and submit assignments. I'm not sure if I've had students with psychiatric disabilities, since I'd guess that these might easily be confused with "ordinary" problems. Many of my students have gone through personal trials, such as job loss or death in the family, and are probably depressed, but do not rise to the level of having a disability. Other psychiatric disabilities might include schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Finally, hidden disabilities. I have diabetes, which might be considered a hidden disability. I've sometimes experienced problems with memory that I attribute to high blood sugar. Another hidden disability is a condition such as epilepsy, which a relative of mine has, and which seems to have affected his memory as well.
Chastity,
Sounds like your institution does a good job at helping you be the best teacher possible. Yes, there are many students with emotional outburst (F2F and online) due to mental impairment and I too have seen many more cases in the past 8 years.
Keep up the good work!
Renee Shaffer
A mental impairment is covered by the ADA, such as mental or psychological disorder, mental retardation, emotional or mental illness. This was interesting to learn because I have found that in the 8 years I've been teaching online, many of my students who have disabilities have the most "in-your-face" way of communication styles. Many of them anger quickly and place external blame. When I face this oftentimes with students, I would reach out to the department that deals with disabilities to see if my student was under an accommodation plan. Nine times out of 10, they were. I was glad when my university started putting the wheelchair icon next to my disabled students so that I could be proactive in reaching out to them (and try to avoid the anger and hostility issues that ensue with frustration).
All physical and mental disabilities. Autism, deaf, or depression.
Andrew,
Yes, it is certainly a wide, far-reaching description that instructors need to be aware of. Those with disabilities might not be very evident.
Renee Shaffer
Based on our research and study in this course it appears it is this: a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual such as walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, reading, concentrating, communicating, thinking, breathing, learning and working." This is really a wide range of disabilities and we need to ensure as faculty professionals to accomodate those in these areas.
Examples of disabilities covered under ADA include physical and mental (cognitive) disabilities. The individual can be born with the disability or have acquired it through time.
